Karthik’s batting has come under increased scrutiny, particularly after he struggled to a 15-ball six against South Africa, a match India ultimately lost. As a result, experts and veterans have requested that Rishabh Pant be included in his place.

Dinesh Karthik’s tournament performance is one of Team India’s biggest selection issues heading into the crucial T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh. After he struggled to a 15-ball six against South Africa, a match India eventually lost, his batting has come under increasing scrutiny. As a result, experts and veterans have requested that Rishabh Pant be included in his place. Madan Lal, a former cricketer for India, has also joined the bandwagon, tearing apart captain Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid over their positions regarding Pant.

Since the Asia Cup, India’s approach to wicketkeeping has been clear. In place of Pant, they have backed Karthik for the position because he is versatile and adds variety to the batting line up. However, due to Karthik’s troubling injury against Proteas, many have demanded that the veteran be benched and replaced with Pant, who can also serve as an opener.

Madan has been vocal about Pant’s selection during his interview with India Today prior to the match against Bangladesh in Adelaide.

He has been quite insistent in stating that the youngster must be in the XI regardless of India’s position regarding Karthik. In addition, the player who won the World Cup in 1983 lashed out at Rohit and Dravid for ignoring a “match-winner” like Pant.

“Availability chaahe DK ki ho ya naa ho, main nehi maanta, mera khayal hai ki Rishabh Pant ko khilana chaiye. Aur agar usko apko khilana hai toh usse aap hausla dijiye. Itna bara batsman hai aur aap toss ke tarah upr niche kar rahe hai. Woh to khiladi hai, uska toh atmavishwas jayega hi. Sabko pata hai ki woh kitna bara match winner hai. Pant ko khilana hi parega chaahe DK available ho ya na ho (Whether Dinesh Karthik is available or not, Pant has to play. And give him that encouragement. He is such a big batsman and you are just tossing him up and down like a coin. He is bound to lose his confidence. We all know he is a match-winner. So, Pant has to play, whether DK is there or not),”

he said.

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India will play against Bangladesh on Wednesday, a match that will decide their fate for the semis.